Interesting article today in the Allentown Morning Call today:
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-shame-1015cn,0,6629405.story
I'd be interested to see what other professionals think of this idea. Should it be implemented in Schuylkill County (my own county) and other parts of PA?
Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski launched a program today aimed at drawing attention to city landlords who let their property deteriorate. The program is called the Landlord Hall of Shame, and its first inductees were Adam and Ira Thor, two brothers who reside in New Jersey and own at least eight properties in the city.
Pawlowski made the announcement during a press conference in front of 343-345 N. 9th Street, which is owned by Adam Thor. Pawlowski said the property has numerous code violations that have went unresolved for months, including exposed wiring, lack of plumbing and inadequate fire protection.
"We have some absentee landlords in this city who refuse to improve substandard conditions on their rental properties, meanwhile their homes where they live appear to be in immaculate condition," Pawlowski said. City officials placed a large placard on Adam Thor's property that says it's unfit for habitation and divulges his home address and phone number for neighbors to call and demand action.
.......
Pawlowski said today is just the first step in outing other landlords, who will suffer the same public consequences. The city is giving the public the opportunity to nominate property owners for the next inductee. Suggestions can be phones in to the city's bureau of building standards and safety at 610-437-7690.
THE MORNING CALL also has a link to the city's site about the list:
http://www.allentownpa.gov/Community/LandlordHallofShame/tabid/291/Default.aspx
Here is the City's criteria:
A Landlord Hall of Shame Committee has been established, consisting of the following members: Director Building Standards and Safety, Housing Rehab Supervisor, Housing Supervisor, Construction Code Superintendent, a representative from Zoning, and a representative from Recycling. This committee will meet on a regular basis and choose a city landlord for recommendation to the mayor for selection as an esteemed member of the "Landlord Hall of Shame." This committee will review all city owned properties of the selected landlord and complete a checklist of all current offenses against the city. This checklist will serve as an historical record and documentation for selection.
Criteria for Nomination: A landlord may be nominated for the landlord hall of shame based upon the following criteria.
• Delinquent Fees (water/sewer, rental, taxes, business license, privilege tax)
• Declared a nuisance per the Property Rehabilitation and Maintenance Code, anti-litter, zoning and city abated nuisance, liened. • Registration/License revocation (warnings)
• Rental units tagged as unfit (either condition or illegal)
• Relocation paid by city to displaced tenants
• Tenant "testimonials" • Neighbor "testimonials"
• DCR's issued (and history)
• Health issues (solid waste, animals, etc.)
• Building issues (no permits, no plans)
• Police issues • Fire issues
